Chapter 366 - Bottled Water

"Here." Ivan shoved the helmet to Cora which she accepted with both hands. "Wear it." Although he knew there was little possibility that she would understand him, he still wanted to talk as he wasn't a mute.

Fortunately, Cora has a good sense of understanding. Hence, she only nodded and wore the helmet she once wore before. This time, he didn't help her as he already hopped on the motorbike.

A little bit shy, Cora hummed as she saw him cock his head behind him. "Get on." He instructed coldly.

"Yes." Cora nodded her head meekly, getting up on the space behind him. However, she was like a turtle that annoyed Ivan further. Therefore, before he could lose his patience, Ivan pulled her up so they could hurry up.

"Ah!" She squealed.

"My sis will scold me if I end up staying behind bars." Despite her faint squeal, Ivan just cleared his throat as he felt slightly guilty for being rash. However, they had already made their cool exit earlier, they'd be doomed if they truly called for police that might cause his deportation.

Without further ado, Ivan revved the ride's engine and sped away. Out of instinct, since he was rather aggressive to leave, Cora didn't have enough time to think and wrapped her hand around his waist. 

As they sped away, Cora muttered. "Careful." Since she had been studying his language so she could argue with him, she had already learnt a few words. Still, Cora didn't really think he could hear her as the sound of the engine was a little loud.

To her surprise, Cora noticed that they were reducing speed. "You're learning, huh? Haha!" As he decelerated his speed, Ivan remarked as he chuckled. Well, he didn't expect that from her.

Still, after his experience with the young staff back in the restaurant, Ivan thought that talking to her was less torturing. At the very least, Cora was a quick learner and had a good sense to understand his gesture.

Moreover, now, she seemed to be learning new English words. Was her ego hurt as he laughed at her the other day? Was she learning so she could curse him or understand if he's insulting her? Well, Ivan wouldn't be surprised if that was her reason.

After all, somehow they have similarities. Although it was hard for him to admit it, Ivan knew that deep down; the reason they didn't like each other at first glance.

It took them ten minutes before Ivan stopped at the nearest convenience store. "Eat." He remarked, staring at the side mirror where he could see her confused face.

"Man, I haven't eaten." He grumbled. The next second, both of them heard his stomach growl, causing Cora to look down. "Uh huh, hungry." As she looked down and then looked up, Ivan nodded his head as he felt no shame about how his stomach grumbled loudly.

*****

"At the end, I'll still have sis's food as my supper." The corner of his lips curved down, shaking his head as he opened the lid of the instant noodles he brought from Zoey. "Of all places, why did they have a company dinner there? The f*ck." he continued to murmur, stirring the noodles using the disposable chopsticks.

"I am sorry." As she watched him stir the noodles, complaining, Cora pursed her lips into a thin line. She slightly bowed her head; her hand on her lap. She noticed that whenever she was in trouble, he would often show up which was a little weird.

Still, Cora didn't want to assume that he was following her. She believed in coincidences. After all, their first time was purely understandable. After knowing what Ezekiel Tang did to Zoey, it would be normal that the two of them would confront him.

So, technically speaking, this was the first time they met coincidentally. Thus, it would be silly to assume improper thoughts. Moreover, she was glad that he came to her rescue.

"Mhmm," Before Ivan could eat the noodles, he glanced up to her and sighed. "Whatever." he said, shoving the hot noodles inside his mouth without mercy. He wanted to say a lot of things to her -- scold her even for keeping silence when she could just lash out at her boss.

However, this language barrier was truly a pain. Therefore, instead of speaking his thoughts aloud that would make him look like he was talking to a wall like what he usually appeared to be while talking to her, Ivan decided to not waste energy. It was pointless.

Slowly, Cora raised her head. He seemed much calmer now as he ate. She remembered that the food on his table was untouched. If she didn't know he was alone, she would think he had two more company as he ordered food that a group of approximately three or five people could eat.

Now, she felt bad that he was now eating instant noodles instead of having a feast. "What terrible luck, he has, trying to be a hero." Just as Cora was sulking for troubling him of all people, an idea struck across her mind. Without wasting a second, she rummaged inside her bag, and fished out a small pocket book from within.

Since Ivan was busy filling up his stomach, he didn't heed her no mind. Cora flipped pages of the pocket book titled: Chinese - English ; English - Chinese Dictionary she bought earlier this morning. She looked for words she could connect to construct a sentence which sounded to be so easy to do.

"I… return favor," After several minutes, Cora memorized the words she had in mind and then spoke them aloud.

"Huh?" Ivan, who was in the middle of chewing the bun down, raised his head to meet her smiling face. "What are you saying?" With his mouth stuffed, Ivan asked which he regretted after a second.

Ivan, coughed, almost choking as he was too excited to eat he shoved everything for his teeth to grind. As he pounded his chest, he immediately reached for the bottle of water and chugged it down.

"Ah?" While Cora panicked, instead of getting up and patting his back, she flipped the dictionary's pages to find the correct word to tell him. "Wait, I…" She paused, looking for the next word as fast as she could.

Before she could find the next word, Ivan's airflow was already cleared. The instant he returned his gaze at her, his eyes slowly moved down to the book she was holding. Upon seeing the cover, the corner of his lips curled into an amused smile.

"What?" He leaned his arm against the edge of the table, patiently waiting for her whatever she wanted to tell him.

"I… I'm looking… word." Her eyes were glued on the dictionary, searching for translation. Thus, she didn't notice the amused gleamed that crossed Ivan's blue eyes.

"Where is it?" Cora murmured as she did so.

"Pfft--!" Just watching her exert effort to communicate with him, Ivan's view towards her slightly changed. In his perspective, she might be an annoying chatterbox that he couldn't understand, but she was actually not a bad company.

If anything, she was entertaining. Not many would do such a gesture. Even if it's not exactly for him, Ivan's view towards her got better than the first encounter. He actually applauded the kind of a person she was.

"Give it to me." Since she seemed struggling, not just looking for words but also memorized them before turning the page, he proposed. However, his mind changed a second later. "Nevermind." He waved his hand, slowly rising to his seat. He then dragged his chair next to her and then perched on it without a second hesitation.

Obviously, he caught Cora's attention as she watched him drag the chair beside her and then sitting on it. In an instant, her eyes widened as she moved to the edge of her seat, her eyes still on him.

"What?" She asked. Her question might be a little complex, but she hoped he would understand her regardless.

"You, me, talk." Slowly, the side of his curled into a playful smirk as he winked, pointing his index finger to her and then back to him. Without further ado, Ivan snatched the dictionary before he leaned his back against the chair languidly.

"Let's see... hmmm," When he was comfortable with his seat, Ivan skimmed the page she was reading.

Just then, while Cora was staring at his side profile after his sort of flirtatious gesture, she hiccuped causing her to cover her lips. Still, her hiccups continued albeit muffled because of her palms covering it.

"Ah? Are you okay?" Ivan furrowed his brows, instinctively reaching for the bottle of water on the table which he gave to her.

Without a thought, Cora accepted the bottle of water and took a sip from it. 'Gosh, why did he suddenly wink at me?' Cora grumbled inwardly as she placed the lid back on. However, just as she did, Cora realized that the bottle of water was already half empty.

At a slow pace, her eyes widened, raising to see his puzzled front. 'Did he drink this earlier?' She asked herself. The complexion of her face immediately flushed at the thought of an indirect kiss.. Her poor mind felt like exploding as her heart suddenly thumped faster than normal.